Assistant Vice President of Student Services & Dean of Students

Job Description

Position Summary

The Assistant Vice President/Dean of Students serves as a senior student affairs leader and member of the President's Cabinet responsible for fostering a vibrant, safe, Christ-centered campus community that supports student development, engagement, wellness, and success. This position provides strategic leadership, supervision, and oversight for the following areas: Residence Life, Safety and Security, Student Activities, Student Conduct, the Wellness Center, and Campus Ministries.

As a cabinet-level administrator, the AVP/Dean of Students participates in institutional leadership, strategic planning, policy development, and university decision-making processes while collaborating closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students to advance the mission and values of the university.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Executive Leadership

• Serve as a member of the President's Cabinet and provide leadership on university-wide initiatives and strategic priorities.
• Advise senior leadership on matters related to student life, campus climate, student well-being, and student engagement.
• Participate in institutional planning, policy development, crisis response, and assessment efforts.
• Represent Student Services in campus and community partnerships, committees, and special initiatives.

Student Development & Leadership

• Provide leadership for the overall student experience and co-curricular environment.
• Promote student engagement, retention, leadership development, and holistic student growth.
• Develop and implement programs and initiatives that enhance campus life and student success.
• Serve as an advocate for students while balancing institutional policies and expectations.

Supervision & Departmental Oversight

• Provide direct supervision and strategic oversight for:

o Residence Life

o Safety and Security

o Student Activities

o Student Conduct

o Wellness Center

o Campus Ministries

• Lead, mentor, and evaluate departmental staff and student leaders.
• Facilitate collaboration among departments to ensure integrated student support services.

Residence Life

• Oversee residential education initiatives that promote community, accountability, and student development.
• Ensure effective housing operations, occupancy management, and residential programming.
• Support crisis response and student care efforts within the residential community.

Safety & Security

• Collaborate with campus safety personnel to maintain a secure and welcoming campus environment.
• Assist in emergency preparedness planning, behavioral intervention processes, and crisis management.
• Support institutional compliance with applicable safety regulations and reporting requirements.

Student Conduct

• Administer and oversee the student conduct process in accordance with the Student Handbook and university policies and procedures.
• Promote educational and restorative approaches to student accountability.
• Serve as a hearing officer or appellate officer as needed.

Student Activities & Engagement

• Oversee student organizations, leadership programs, campus events, and student engagement initiatives.
• Encourage opportunities for student involvement that foster community and belonging.
• Support programming that reflects the mission and values of the university.

Wellness & Student Support

• Provide oversight for wellness initiatives that support students' emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being.
• Collaborate with campus partners to identify and respond to student needs and concerns.
• Support prevention education and wellness programming.

Campus Ministries

• Support spiritual formation opportunities and faith-based programming consistent with the university's mission.
• Collaborate with campus ministry staff to encourage student participation in worship, discipleship, missions, and service opportunities.

Orientation & Registration Services

• Provide leadership and oversight for new student orientation and summer registration planning.
• Coordinate orientation and registration programs in collaboration with Academic Affairs, Enrollment, and Student Services.
• Oversee orientation staff and student leaders while ensuring programs support student transition, engagement, and success.
• Develop and assess orientation and registration initiatives consistent with the mission and values of the university.

Qualifications

• Master's degree required; doctorate preferred in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Counseling, Leadership, or related field.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in student affairs or higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience supervising multiple functional areas within student services.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, leadership, and crisis management skills.
• Experience serving on senior leadership teams or participating in institutional strategic planning preferred.
• Knowledge of student development theory, conduct processes, Title IX collaboration, and higher education best practices.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, parents, and community partners.
• Commitment to supporting the Christian mission and values of the university.

Preferred Characteristics

• Collaborative and student-centered leadership style.
• Ability to foster inclusive and engaging campus environments.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and sound judgment.
• Passion for mentoring and developing students and staff.

Working Conditions

• Evening and weekend work may be required to support campus events, emergencies, and student activities.
• Participation in on-call and crisis response responsibilities may be expected.